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Payroll Accountant

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Engineering a world of possibilities

We are seeking a skilled and detail-oriented Payroll Accountant to join our team. The payroll accountant will be part of the Payroll & Employment Services team within the Controller’s Office.

The Payroll and Employment Services team supports the Colorado School of Mines (CSM) community and its off-campus partners by providing efficient and accurate payroll and employment operations. This support is essential to advancing the University’s mission and is guided by principles of exceptional customer service, regulatory compliance, and fiscal accountability. The position plays a key role in fostering an environment focused on process efficiency and effectiveness, helping to reduce the financial and administrative burdens on campus constituents and requires a proactive approach to maintaining system integrity, improving processes, and delivering exceptional service to the campus community.

The Payroll Accountant will be responsible for all payroll related business processes and reconciliations for faculty and staff, ensuring compliance with federal and state regulations, and providing support to the Human Resources department. The position will help create an environment that encourages and builds upon process efficiency and effectiveness for the purpose of alleviating the financial and administrative burden on various campus constituents This individual will apply their knowledge and skills to a wide range of standard and nonstandard situations to interpret customer needs, assess requirements, identify solutions and deliver results.

Primary Responsibilities

Payroll operations and processing

Process semi-monthly and monthly payroll for faculty and staff, including maintaining payroll records, reviewing timesheets, calculating and auditing payroll deductions.
Ensure accurate and timely payroll processing, including making necessary adjustments and resolving discrepancies.
Prepare payroll reports and analysis for management and external agencies.
Maintain knowledge of federal and state regulations related to payroll processing and ensure compliance with all applicable laws and regulations
Research regulations for payroll compliance in states other than Colorado and provide a risk analysis for hiring considerations.
Provide support to faculty and staff regarding payroll and benefit-related inquiries.
Suggest changes in procedures to provide better customer services to the campus. Make procedural changes for payroll processes when it becomes clear that there is a more efficient and/or accurate way to proceed.
Maintain confidentiality of all employee information and records.
Process all garnishment requests, ensuring amounts are calculated correctly.
Process all separation payouts of sick and vacation leave, per policy.

Audit & Reconciliations

Audit all demographic and payroll data for new hires and promotions.
Regular reconciliation of all payroll liability accounts.
Review accuracy of job families and position types.
Audit employee benefits deductions and reconcile and adjust records/systems as needed.
Audit employee information and collaborate with the human resources department to ensure that all employee information is accurate and up to date.
Work with external auditors during audits of payroll records.
Identify issues that are out of compliance with IRS rules and regulations, and report findings to leadership.
Note any processes that do not follow the proper segregation of duties or internal control processes and propose solutions.
Assist with NRA compliance, 1042-S tax preparation and audit of related systems and records.
Audit all changes to bank records, including direct deposit requests.
Conduct PERA salary and Workers Compensation audits and take care of all related reporting.

Employment Verification & Unemployment Insurance

Manage employment verification requests and provide verification letters.
Help complete unemployment insurance claims thru Equifax and work with department leaders to provide related documentation when needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience:

Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or a related field.
Minimum of 2 years of experience in payroll accounting, preferably in a higher education setting.
Strong knowledge of federal and state payroll regulations.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Excellent attention to detail and organizational skills.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite.

Preferred Qualifications

Education and Experience:

Experience and knowledge of higher education culture, governance, structures, and mission.
Experience in governmental accounting, payroll or human resources.
User experience with Workday HCM.

Certifications and Licenses:

Certified Payroll Professional (CPP)

Salary and Benefits

$56,500 - $63,500 (annual salary)

Mines takes into consideration a combination of candidate’s education, training and experience as well as the position’s scope and complexity, the discretion and latitude required in the role, work location, and external market and internal value when determining a salary level for potential new employees.

Colorado School of Mines offers a robust portfolio of benefits for all employees. For this role, that includes:

Fully paid health and dental premiums
Generous sick/vacation time: 13 paid holidays per year – including a week-long winter break for entire campus.
Fully vested retirement plan on first day of employment, with generous employer contribution
Tuition benefits (6 credits per year for employees, 50 percent discount for dependents)
Free RTD Ecopass

All Mines employees also have access to discount programs through the State of Colorado and free tickets for Mines Athletics home games, as well as access to the on-campus Recreation Center (fitness classes and training, swimming pool and more), equipment rentals through the Outdoor Rec Center, the Colorado State Employee Assistance Program (CSEAP), and backup child and elder care. Coming soon is an on-campus daycare center. For more information about benefits at Mines, go to mines.edu/human-resources/benefits.

How to Apply

Applicants must:

Complete an online application (personal information, demographic information, references, veteran status)
Upload a resume or CV
Upload a cover letter

Mines welcomes everyone to our team; in your application, please feel free to note which pronouns you use (For example - she/her/hers, he/him/his, they/them/theirs, etc). If you need reasonable accommodation at any point in the application or interview process, please let us know.

Successful Completion of a Background Investigation is Required for this Position.

About Mines & Golden, CO

When the world looks for answers, the world looks to Mines.

Colorado School of Mines is a top-ranked public university solving the grand challenges facing our society, particularly those related to the Earth, energy and the environment. Founded in 1874 with specialties in mining and metallurgy, Mines’ scope and mission have continually expanded to meet the needs of industry and society. Today, we are the No. 38 public university in the nation, recognized for our innovation and undergraduate teaching in science, technology engineering and math (U.S. News and World Report, 2023).

Mines graduates are change makers, boundary breakers and problem solvers. Since our earliest days, a Mines education has been and continues to be a transformational opportunity, with one of the strongest returns on investment out there for talented STEM students of all backgrounds.

At the same time, Mines faculty members are pushing their fields in new directions, whether that’s manufacturing, space resources, quantum engineering, carbon capture or more. Mines was recently classified as a R1 “Very High Activity” research institution by Carnegie, a notable feat for any university but particularly one of our size.

That size – roughly 7,000 undergraduate and graduate students – also translates to a close-knit campus community, where employees have opportunities to get involved in multiple ways, continued professional learning is valued and everyone can make an impact.

Community Alliance groups bring together employees for professional development, networking, cultural awareness and community involvement, and all Mines employees also have access to the wealth of activities happening every day on campus – nationally-renowned speakers, special events and Mines traditions like Engineering Days, just to name a few.

And don’t get us started on our hometown. We are located in the heart of Golden, Colorado --with its charming historic downtown and nearby hiking trails – and in close proximity to all that Denver and the Rocky Mountains have to offer. That includes the sunny, high-altitude climate and outstanding outdoor recreation opportunities that make the Denver area an ideal place to live, work and play.

Are you looking for an inspiring, mission-driven workplace where you can contribute to solving the world’s problems and educating the next generation of change makers? Are you an individual who values a diverse and inclusive community, where our different perspectives, experiences and cultures enrich the educational and work experience?

Look to Mines.

Equal Opportunity

Colorado School of Mines is committed to equal opportunity for all persons. Mines does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, gender (including gender identity and gender expression), ancestry, creed, marital status, race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran status or current military service. Further, Mines does not retaliate against community members for filing complaints regarding or implicating any of these protected statuses.

Mines’ commitment to nondiscrimination, affirmative action, equal opportunity and equal access is reflected in the administration of its policies, procedures, programs and activities and in its efforts to achieve a diverse student body and workforce.

Through its policies, procedures and resources, Mines complies with federal law, Colorado state law, administrative regulations, executive orders and other legal requirements to prevent discrimination (including harassment or retaliation) within the Mines campus community and to address potential allegations of inequity or concerns for safety

Colorado's premier engineering and applied science university for 150 years and counting

Average salary estimate

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$56500K

$63500K

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What You Should Know About Payroll Accountant, Mines

Are you ready to dive into the world of numbers and make a tangible difference in a vibrant academic community? Join the Colorado School of Mines (CSM) as a Payroll Accountant and become an integral part of our Payroll & Employment Services team within the Controller’s Office. Here, you won't just handle payroll; you'll support our mission by ensuring precise and timely payroll operations for our dedicated faculty and staff. In this role, you'll be empowered to simplify processes and alleviate administrative burdens, which is crucial for maintaining an effective educational environment. You'll engage in semi-monthly and monthly payroll processing, audit payroll records, and ensure compliance with both federal and state regulations. Collaboration is key, as you'll work closely with Human Resources, providing invaluable support for payroll and benefits inquiries. Your analytical skills will shine as you regularly audit employee benefits deductions and offer solutions for process improvements. We're looking for someone with a Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance and at least two years of payroll accounting experience. If you possess a keen eye for detail and the ability to thrive in a team setting, this could be your chance to elevate your career while contributing to a mission-driven workplace in beautiful Colorado. With competitive salary and benefits, including fully paid health premiums and generous vacation time, this role is about so much more than just numbers. It’s a career move filled with opportunity and purpose.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Payroll Accountant Role at Mines

What are the primary responsibilities of a Payroll Accountant at Colorado School of Mines?

As a Payroll Accountant at Colorado School of Mines, your primary responsibilities will include processing semi-monthly and monthly payroll for faculty and staff, maintaining payroll records, reviewing timesheets, and ensuring compliance with federal and state regulations. You will also prepare payroll reports, audit payroll data for accuracy, and assist in resolving any payroll discrepancies, all while providing excellent customer service to our campus community.